Pastor Eric Denton knows it will take 250 to 300 turkeys and 800 pies to feed the record crowd expected to seek Thanksgiving meals at his Riverside church.

So far, Central Community Christian Fellowship has received about 50 turkeys, and 40 pies have been donated.

Denton said donations are on pace with previous years, and that a lot of donations come in right before Thanksgiving and the day of.

As tough economic conditions persist in the Inland area, charitable organizations, businesses and churches that serve or distribute free Thanksgiving meals are expecting a large turnout this year.

âPeople are struggling and are in need of help,â said Maj. Nancy Ball, from the San Bernardino Salvation Army.

Organizers do have faith that they will get enough donations to go around. But with less than two weeks before the holiday, this is crunch time.

âItâs one of those times you really learn to trust God,â Denton said. His churchâs event drew 4,000 people last year, a record, and given the prevailing conditions, he is planning on 5,000 this year.

In kicking off the annual Riverside County Food Drive, officials noted this area has a poverty rate of 16 percent, and that 58 percent of students qualify for free or reduced school lunches.

Oasis Community Church in Moreno Valley operates a daily food bank and Pastor Al Breems said the number of people who access it has been increasing.

âWe've had to replenish our food bank way more rapidly than we've had to before,â he said.

His church usually serves a Thanksgiving meal to 300 to 400 people, and Breems is expecting at least that many this year.

Life Church in Eastvale gave away 370 Thanksgiving meal kits last year. The churchâs efforts are largely supported by donations from its members, and Pastor Sam Tanner said he is concerned that with people struggling financially, they may not be able to make a contribution this year.

âI expect us to meet the need with outside donations, but I expect the need to be great,â he said.

NEEDED DONATIONS

Among organizers of Thanksgiving meals, turkeys and pies are hot commodities.

âWe need about 20 turkeys,â said Marsha Olguin from Maryâs Mercy Center in San Bernardino, which serves an annual traditional Thanksgiving meal to about 400 people.

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